“What Now?” Panelists

The panelists lent their expertise in the discussion of how to answer the question “What Now?” for each student who has had a brain injury, from both clinical standpoints and Amanda’s personal experience of brain injury recovery. Debra Kamen, M.S., Director of Brain Injury and Statewide Specialized Services at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, moderated the panel and provided her own insight as well.

Each panelist spoke individually about their personal thoughts on best practices in brain injury rehabilitation for adolescents, and it then opened up into a forum for audience members to ask questions. Ron Allen commented on the issues of not telling adolescents with brain injuries to simply “accept their disability” and instead working with them toward their personal goals. He also remarked upon the evolution of the Ivy Street School over the past decade, reflecting changes in practices in the field. Amanda Smart gave a poignant speech about her own brain injury recovery experience, noting, “I don’t think the recovery process ever ends. I had my accident over ten years ago and I am still recovering today.”

Marilyn Spivak, hailed as “the Mother of Brain Injury Awareness,” touched on the importance of families in the brain injury recovery process, and called attention to the pressing need for specialized schools like the Ivy Street School, few of which exist nationwide. Debra Kamen remarked what a small percentage of children and adolescents receive specialized treatment and rehabilitation after they are released from hospitalization, and Marilyn declared that it is for these young people in need that she hopes the Ivy Street School will continue to grow in the future.